The Tiger of the Attacker of Bandung Residents is Rehabilitated, His Fate is Waiting for the Recommendation of the Doctor

A number of officers evacuated the leopard cage to undergo rehabilitation at the Cikembulan Animal Park, Garut Regency, West Java. ANTARA/HO-Cikembulan

GARUT - A Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas) that entered the settlement and attacked residents in Pacet, Bandung Regency, is now undergoing rehabilitation at the Cikembulan Animal Park, Garut Regency, West Java, to restore its condition before being released back into the natural habitat.

The manager of the Cikembulan Wildlife Park, Rudi Arifin, said that the leopard was still undergoing intensive observation to ensure that its physical condition and behavior were stable again.

"The leopard that was arrested in Bandung is undergoing rehabilitation and is currently being observed," said Rudi in Garut, Sunday, February 8.

Rudi said that the protected animal was arrested by the West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) after entering a residential area in Maruyung Village, Pacet District, Bandung Regency, on Thursday (5/2).

Furthermore, the male leopard was entrusted to the Cikembulan Animal Park to undergo treatment.

"When I first came, the condition was stressful and there were wounds, so we immediately quarantined it for further treatment," said Rudi.

While in the quarantine cage, the leopard received treatment from veterinarians and medical teams who monitored its development every day. The team routinely observes the animal's eating, drinking, and behavior patterns to ensure the recovery process runs optimally.

"Every day we report on its development, from eating patterns, drinking patterns, to the behavior of the satwa, whether there is anything abnormal or not," he said.

Rudi emphasized that the main purpose of the treatment was to save the leopard to stay alive and maintain its natural nature as a wild animal.

Later, after his health condition was declared stable, the veterinary team will recommend whether the animal is eligible to be released back into its habitat or must remain in the conservation area.

"The condition of the canine teeth is broken and there are wounds. All will be handled by veterinarians, then recommended whether they meet the conditions for release or not," said Rudi.

He added, the Cikembulan Animal Park has been actively rescuing wildlife, including leopards. Previously, two leopards secured from Mount Syawal in 2009 and Mount Cikuray in 2010 are still alive and in good health at the Cikembulan Animal Park.

"There are two tigers from Mount Syawal and Cikuray who are still alive until now," he said.